Germany’s coalition partners have agreed on a draft bill on Thursday (November 13) that would introduce a voluntary military service as the country seeks to bolster national defences over Russian security concerns. The text also opened the door to a reintroduction of compulsory enlistment. The defence ministry hopes the voluntary six-month scheme will help double the number of trained reservists from the current level of around 100,000 and that some of the volunteers will go on to have a career in active service.

Germany ended its previous compulsory military service programme in 2011 and has since struggled to meet troop targets.

Minister Boris Pistorius wants to increase the number of soldiers in service from 180,000 to 260,000 by the early 2030s to meet new NATO force targets and strengthen Germany's defences - part of a planned surge in military spending.

Starting next year, all 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire that assesses their motivation and suitability. Men are required to respond. At the same time, a compulsory examination is planned.

Volunteers would be paid “a gross income of around €2,600,” Pistorius told reporters in Berlin, adding “depending on the length of service, some will receive a subsidy for a driving licence, either for a car or a truck. This will also benefit the armed forces when they enter the reserve. So, all in all, a well-rounded, attractive package.”

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MUENSTER, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 10, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. YOUNG GERMAN SOLDIERS STANDING IN ROOM AND LISTENING TO PRESENTATION BY GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTER BORIS PISTORIUS

2. GERMAN FLAG ON UNIFORM

3. ROW OF SOLDIERS HOLDING RIFLES AND AIMING

4. SOLDIERS’ LEGS / SOLDIERS LYING ON GROUND ROLLING OVER

5. ROWS OF SOLDIERS

6. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS AIMING RIFLES IN WOODS

7. SOLDIER RUNNING

8. PISTORIUS OBSERVING EXERCISE

9. SOLDIERS LYING ON GROUND

10. PISTORIUS OBSERVING EXERCISE

11. SOLDIERS RUNNING

BERLIN, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

13. PISTORIUS SEEN ON DISPLAY OF PERSON’S MOBILE PHONE

14. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTER, BORIS PISTORIUS, SAYING:

“I am now looking forward to bringing the consultation process to a swift conclusion in the coming weeks so that the law can come into force on January 1st. I would like to emphasise once again that the voluntary military service personnel who come to us will have a gross income of around €2,600. Depending on the length of service, some will receive a subsidy for a driving licence, either for a car or a truck. This will also benefit the armed forces when they enter the reserve. So, all in all, a well-rounded, attractive package.”

15. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

16. CONSERVATIVE CDU FLOOR LEADER JENS SPAHN SPEAKING, SEEN IN CAMERA DISPLAY

17. (SOUNDBITE) (German) CDU FLOOR LEADER, JENS SPAHN, SAYING:

"Of course, as stipulated in the Constitution, we can only oblige men. However, we will make the offer to both men and women. So, 700,000 is roughly one age group. All 700,000 will be contacted and will receive information. That alone will lead to discussions and debate.”

18. SIDE VIEW OF PISTORIUS SPEAKING

19. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTER, BORIS PISTORIUS, SAYING:

"The objective is, in summer 27, to be ready to muster (examine) an entire year of young men. That's in the first place. And the second place is indeed, everybody is watching what we are doing. I am in close contact with (French Prime Minister and former Defence Minister) Sebastien Lecornu and his successor, and, of course, with the UK and with other countries. They are all watching what we are doing, and our new model of conscription is quite modern. It is very modern, and it might be able to be an example for other countries too. I don't know, but it might be.”

20. PISTORIUS SPEAKING